Electrochemical Reactivation of Dead Li2S for Li−S Batteries in Non‐Solvating Electrolytes

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2023-02, Vol.62 (9), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Qi, Xiaoqun, Yang, Fengyi, Sang, Pengfei, Zhu, Zhenglu, Jin, Xiaoyu, Pan, Yujun, Ji, Jie, Jiang, Ruining, Du, Haoran, Ji, Yongsheng, Fu, Yongzhu, Qie, Long, Huang, Yunhui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetonitrile; Anodes; Competitiveness; Dead Li2S; Dynamic stability; Electrochemical Reactivation; Electrochemistry; Electrolytes; Li−S Batteries; Non-Solvating Electrolytes
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202218803

The use of non‐solvating, or as‐called sparingly‐solvating, electrolytes (NSEs), is regarded as one of the most promising solutions to the obstacles to the practical applications of Li−S batteries. However, it remains a puzzle that long‐life Li−S batteries have rarely, if not never, been reported with NSEs, despite their good compatibility with Li anode. Here, we find the capacity decay of Li−S batteries in NSEs is mainly due to the accumulation of the dead Li2S at the cathode side, rather than the degradation of the anodes or electrolytes. Based on this understanding, we propose an electrochemical strategy to reactivate the accumulated Li2S and revive the dead Li−S batteries in NSEs. With such a facile approach, Li−S batteries with significantly improved cycling stability and accelerated dynamics are achieved with diglyme‐, acetonitrile‐ and 1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐based NSEs. Our finding may rebuild the confidence in exploiting non‐solvating Li−S batteries with practical competitiveness. It is demonstrated the fast capacity decay of Li−S batteries in non‐solvating electrolytes is due to the formation and accumulation of dead Li2S aggregate. An electrochemical approach is proposed to reactivate the dead Li2S and strengthen the cyclability.